The Environmental Benefits of Compostable Bags

30 Sep.,2024

 

The Environmental Benefits of Compostable Bags

Compostable Bags: Benefits, Usage, and Environmental Impact

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Tommy Lai | September 15,

In response to the excessive use of plastic, many governments worldwide are taking action to reduce disposable plastics. The Canadian government has outlined a comprehensive plan to eliminate plastic waste by . The initial phase of this plan was launched in December , involving the prohibition of manufacturing, importing, and selling single-use plastic items such as checkout bags, cutlery, and straws. 

 

Switching from single-use plastic bags to compostable bags could be a big step in reducing the amount of plastic waste. This change not only addresses the adverse effects these bags pose to our health and the environment but also serves as a solution to rectify such issues.

Compostable bags are objects of interest due to their positive attributes. Let us explore their characteristics and why they are regarded as superior option for packaging. 

What Are Compostable Bags?

These sustainable bags are packaging designed to break down naturally into compost or organic matter within a specific timeframe. Unlike traditional plastic bags that can persist in the environment for hundreds of years, these bags are made from materials that biodegrade and return to the Earth. Thus, leaving behind minimal to no harmful residue.

Usage and Applications

Carrying Groceries and Goods

As more places reject single-use plastic bags, individuals are encouraged to consider reusable plastic bags. However, a significant challenge arises when people possess multiple reusable bags but frequently forget to bring them while shopping.

This situation leaves them with a few options. They might purchase another reusable bag, but this choice doesn't align well with environmental concerns. They may opt for paper bags, although these aren't suitable for carrying heavy items and might not compost effectively.

Compostable bags, on the other hand, function just as effectively as plastic bags. People can transport groceries and repurpose the bag for compost or pet waste. These types of bags also offer additional benefits, such as substituting them for thin plastic bags in the produce aisle or for wrapping meat at grocery stores.

Packaging Organic Foods

These bags are also ideal for packaging organic foods. They ensure that the products remain fresh while avoiding using conventional plastic packaging. This is especially important for maintaining the organic and natural integrity of the items.

Commercial Places

Restaurants and stores throw out food waste too. They can't use regular curbside composting, so they hire companies to handle it. But cleaning the bins gets hard. Cleaning bins means using water or machines, which isn't great. Even after cleaning, bins can still stink and have bugs. Compostable garbage bags made for these bins can solve this. They hold everything, stop messes, and are better for the environment. They're easier and cheaper too.

Benefits of Compostable Bags

Less Landfill Waste

Ordinary single-use food containers can't be reused or recycled because of food leftovers. This means the container and the food waste end up in our regular trash bins. Compostable packaging changes this by allowing everything to be collected together. This is a big help because it lessens the impact of organic stuff in landfills. 

Less Need for Fossil Fuels

Plastics are slow to degrade, posing a significant challenge, particularly when they find their way into environments such as oceans. This stresses the significance of selecting plant-derived materials, which provide a more sustainable choice.

Uses Plant-Based Materials

These eco-friendly bags are created from plant starch and contain no harmful materials. Plant-based materials are a great choice for the environment, and they have another advantage &#; they can be used repeatedly. When these bags are put into a composting system, microbes help them break down quickly and turn into compost.

It comes from the leftover parts of sugarcane once the sugar is taken out. Instead of burning these remains, we can use them to create things like plates and cups. After we use them, they can turn into compost, which provides nutrients for plants.

Lower Carbon Footprint

These type of bags generally have a lower carbon footprint compared to traditional plastics. The production of bioplastics emits fewer greenhouse gases since they rely on renewable plant sources. 

Organic waste emits methane gas when discarded in landfills, with methane being more detrimental to the environment than carbon. If we were to assess landfill emissions as a distinct nation, it would stand as the third-largest pollution contributor globally, surpassed only by China and the USA. Adopting composting for both food waste and compostable packaging serves as a potent tool in the fight against climate change.

Composting for a Better Environment

The world's ecosystems are grappling with the challenges posed by overpopulation and pollution. Nevertheless, there is a potential solution that can contribute to improvement: composting. Compost does good things for the soil, plants, and animals:

  • It makes soil stronger and helps plants grow better.

  • Composting stores carbon and supports useful microorganisms, making the soil rich.

  • It means we don't have to use as many chemical fertilizers, which is better for rivers and oceans.

Collecting and composting organic waste is key to creating a better circular economy. Soil erosion and damage to farmland are problems everywhere. Soil erosion and farmland damage are issues everywhere. And composting can help by turning this waste into a valuable resource for better farming practices that care for the land.

Proper Disposal and Recycling

Disposal

Compostable garbage bags come with environmental benefits that require proper disposal. They can be added to composting systems &#; either municipal or industrial &#; where they break down and become compost, enriching the soil. Remember that these bags shouldn't be mixed with regular plastic waste, as they need specific conditions to break down properly.

For those interested in using eco-friendly bags at home or for their business, compostable garbage bags can be turned into compost safely using various methods. Some compostable garbage bags should be taken to special composting sites, and they can also sometimes be added to garden or food waste collections for composting. To ensure, check with your local Council.

If you want to dispose of these bags at home, you can put them in a home compost heap or bin as long as they are approved for home composting. Commercially compostable garbage bags can be easily discarded as well. Collect them and take them to a facility that handles large-scale composting, ensuring the conditions are right for proper decomposition.

These type of bags usually break down fully in about 10-60 days, although the time it takes also depends on the temperature of the composting environment. If the conditions are around 60°C, these bags can break down in as little as 30 days.

Recycling

These type of bags are NOT typically recyclable in the same way as traditional plastics or paper. They are meant to break down naturally in composting conditions, and the recycling methods used for regular materials might not suit them.

To ensure it&#;s handled correctly, follow the disposal guidelines given by the manufacturer or local waste authorities. This way, they can be composted properly and won't mix with regular recycling, which could lead to problems and lower the quality of recycled materials.

For more compostable courier bagsinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.

While regular plastics can be recycled in some cases, these bags need special facilities for recycling. Some places can process these bags along with other organic waste, but the widespread infrastructure for compostable bag recycling is still developing in many areas.

Order Compostable Bags For Sustainable Solutions

These eco-friendly bags offer a promising solution to the environmental challenges posed by traditional plastics. Their benefits apply to versatile applications in everyday life. So, the next time you're looking for a convenient way to carry your groceries or package organic foods, consider reaching for a compostable bag and step towards a greener world.

Ready to make a positive impact on the environment? Discover Patek Packaging's wide selection of these sustainable bags that offer both convenience and sustainability. Choose our compostable bags to enhance your brand's eco-friendly image and contribute to reducing plastic waste. Join us in embracing a greener future today.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do Compostable Bags Differ From Biodegradable Bags?

Compostable bags are a more specific category within the realm of biodegradable bags. These bags are engineered to adhere to stringent guidelines that ensure they break down entirely within a particular timeframe and specific conditions. 

When placed in a composting environment, such as a compost heap or facility, these bags undergo a complete decomposition process, turning into compost or organic matter. This compost can then be used to enrich soil and support plant growth. These bags are developed to contribute to a sustainable waste management cycle by leaving minimal residue and being part of the natural nutrient cycle.

On the other hand, biodegradable bags encompass a broader range of materials that can break down over time. While they do degrade, the process can vary widely and might not result in a complete breakdown. Some biodegradable bags might only break down into smaller fragments, which can still have environmental implications as these fragments might persist in the environment for a prolonged period. 

Unlike the biodegradable bags, the breakdown of biodegradable bags doesn't have to adhere to specific timeframes or conditions, which can lead to variability in their environmental impact.

Can I Use Compostable Garbage Bags for Packaging Food?

Yes, these type of bags are suitable for packaging organic foods. They help maintain freshness and can break down food waste, contributing to a sustainable waste management cycle.

all the advantages and disadvantages

Sustainability plays a large and important role in all areas of the economy - including the packaging industry. One way of making packaging products more ecological, if necessary, is compostable packaging. But is it really a useful alternative to packaging made from conventional or recyclable materials? We take a closer look at the advantages and disadvantages.

 

All bioplastics - right?

To understand what is meant by compostable packaging, one should also take a look at other common ecological declarations with which packaging is labeled. All too often, all categories are lumped together under the term "bioplastic," which regularly leads to misunderstandings.

Bio-based plastics

Bio-based plastics are made from renewable raw materials. Corn, starch or cellulose, for example, are used. The proportion of natural materials can be 100 percent, but significantly lower compositions are also possible. A bio-based plastic does not necessarily have to be biodegradable. Bio-PET, for example, is made from Brazilian sugar cane but it cannot be biodegraded.

Biodegradable plastics

Biodegradable refers to the disposal of the materials. A plastic may be called biodegradable if it decomposes into water and carbon dioxide within an unspecified time due to biological processes. However, this does not include statements about the production of the plastic: This does not have to be based on biological materials.

Compostable packaging

Now that the terms bio-based and biodegradable have been clarified, the definition of compostable packaging becomes understandable: this refers to materials that decompose within a specified period of time through clearly defined processes and under specific conditions. Accordingly, it is a special form of biodegradable plastic. Mostly compostable packaging is made of polylactic acid (PLA).


All about compost

When most people hear the word "compost" they think of a somewhat dingy, somewhat smelly pile in the farthest corner of the garden, with flies circling around it. But in fact, that represents only a relatively small percentage of composting systems, the so-called home composts. Industrial composting facilities account for the larger share.

WWhat does compost actually mean?

During composting, biodegradable materials are increasingly decomposed by microorganisms. The humus material that is crucial in this process is excellent as a fertilizer, as it contains many nutrients, and so contributes to the growth of other plants. In a compost - whether in the garden or industrial - one tries to create the most perfect conditions possible for the microorganisms to do their work.

Home composting

Open and closed systems can be used for home composting. In closed systems, very good conditions can be created for the microorganisms, which is why the organic waste also decomposes faster here. To achieve this, regular turning of the contents must ensure that harmful microorganisms - such as mold - have no chance. This is not necessary with open systems, as sufficient ventilation is always provided. On the other hand, the decomposition of the waste is much slower and depends on the weather conditions. All organic waste such as fruit and vegetable leftovers, garden waste or tea bags and coffee filters may be placed on a home compost. Compostable packaging is explicitly not included! However, this point will be discussed in more detail.

Industrial composting

Industrial composting involves creating the ideal conditions for compostable material to decompose as quickly as possible. This includes controlling the oxygen content and the temperature, which averages 50 degrees or higher. So, unlike home composting, much higher temperatures are achieved, which also affects composting.

The requirements for compostable packaging

In order for packaging to receive the "compostable packaging" label, it must meet several characteristics:

  • After 90 days, 90 percent of the packaging must have rotted in an industrial composting facility.
  • The composting of the packaging must not have a negative impact on the rest of the composting process. This would be the case, for example, if pollutants were released as a result.
  • The composting process must not release any toxic substances.

EN standard or NF T51-800:?

If all of these above conditions are met, a package is certified as compostable packaging in accordance with the European standard EN and is suitable for industrial composting. However, this does not mean that it may also be used in home composting. Many compostable packages decompose only at the high temperatures of industrial composting. Suitability for home compost is additionally certified by the NF T51-800: standard. Only if there is a corresponding certificate on the packaging, it may be disposed of in the home compost.

Compostable packaging - the status quo


 

Compostable packaging selection

Compostable packaging is relatively rarely offered in retail stores, but consumers can choose from a wide range of products online. Some suppliers specialize in sustainable packaging, while others see the products as an additional offer for their customers. Some examples of compostable packaging are shipping bags, packaging chips as filling material for boxes, special bubble wrap, food packaging such as cups, bowls, plates or platters, packaging film, labels and CD, DVD or book packaging.

Does compostable packaging always make sense?

To answer this question, you first have to consider what packaging is actually used for. They should

  • protect products from external influences and so contribute to a longer service life.
  • package products safely and hygienically to eliminate contamination.
  • keep liquids away from the product or shield liquid products from the outside.
 

Compostable packaging makes sense if it has all these properties without any limitations compared to conventional plastic. Otherwise, the products are sustainable, but still not alternatives - after all, a drinking cup that starts to decompose when it comes into contact with liquids would be extremely nonsensical.

Especially for packaging used in direct food contact, the safety of the contents and the consumer is a priority. Otherwise, the packaging has no purpose. If you still don't want to do without sustainable food packaging, we recommend our stand-up pouches made of 100% recyclable mono-plastic, for example.


Compostable packaging - all advantages and disadvantages at a glance

Advantages of compostable packaging

  • Complete decomposition: If packaging is disposed of via industrial compost, only carbon dioxide and water remain after disposal. This means that this packaging is certainly more environmentally friendly than conventional plastic, the remains of which are detectable everywhere.
  • Use of harmless materials: If packaging is certified according to EN , it is guaranteed that no materials were used in the production that are contaminated with harmful substances.

Disadvantages of compostable packaging

  • Difficulties with disposal: There is still no sensible disposal option for compostable packaging. They are not allowed in the brown garbage can because special industrial facilities are needed for rotting. However, they are also frequently sorted out in the yellow garbage can because the total proportion has so far been so low that composting is not economically viable. As a result, the packaging is incinerated together with residual waste.
  • Low output: Unlike home compost, which produces fertilizer, industrial composting facilities usually produce only carbon dioxide and water, as well as a small amount of biomass. This is due on the one hand to the accelerated process, and on the other hand to the materials being composted.
  • Loss of raw materials: At the end of the composting process, no products come out that can be used again for the production of new goods. Therefore, the raw materials are lost after one-time use. You can learn more about this in our article comparing composting and recycling.


Conclusion

Compostable packaging sounds good, but it is only a limited sustainable alternative. According to the current state of affairs, much more efficient and ecological is effective recycling or the use of products that are designed for multiple use. This is also the conclusion of the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection, which describes the packaging as not a good alternative.

So at first glance, the principle of compostable packaging looks good; nevertheless, so far it only accounts for a small part of the total volume. So in which areas do we already find compostable packaging? And when do they make sense at all?

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